Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry warns of new wave of strikes in Germany
German trade union ver.di has announced a new wave of strikes this week, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said on March 10.
Over six days, the strikes will affect various activities and services in the public sector in Germany’s federal states, the ministry said.
Employees in municipal services, hospitals, public transport, including the metro, trams, bus transport, will participate, and many kindergartens will remain closed.
Employees from electricity distribution companies, cleaning and waste disposal companies, employees in state institutions, labour offices and the armed forces are also participating.
The ministry advised Bulgarian citizens to inform themselves in a timely manner about the current situation in the areas of the federal states in which they temporarily or permanently reside.
On March 10, a strike called by ver.di at 11 airports in Germany caused widespread flight cancellations and disruptions.
On its website, ver.di said on March 10 that the nationwide strikes this week affect the entire spectrum of public services, from airports to waste disposal to waterways.
In the collective bargaining dispute, ver.di is demanding a total pay increase of eight per cent with a minimum increase of 350 euro a month, higher bonuses for stressful shift work and three more days off plus a new “my time account” to give employees more time sovereignty, the union’s statement said.
The union says that it wants to increase the attractiveness of jobs in the public sector, combat staff shortages and reduce the burden on employees.
(Photo: Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Please support The Sofia Globe’s independent journalism by becoming a subscriber to our page on Patreon:
